Welcome to Meridian Secondary School

OverviewMrs Hilda Thong

PrincipalMrs Rose ChenVice-Principal

Overview• MOE Directions• School Strategic Direction• Highlights of Sec 1

programme• Theme for 2020

Secondary 1 Programme• School Experience• School Curriculum• Distinctive Programmes• Talent Development• School Assessment• Student Conduct Grade• Home-School Partnership

Basic purpose: Ensure Education is an Uplifting Force

Hold on to our roots: Learn Languages for Life

Structural change: Ignite Joy of Learning

Structural change: One Sec Education, Many Subject Bands

Stay future-ready: Refresh Our Curriculum Support our educators:

SkillsFuturefor Educators

Learn for Life

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• Lifting the Bottom, Not Capping the Top• Broadening Meritocracy• Enabling Social Mobility

Education as an Uplifting

Force

• Harnessing Benefits of Language Learning• Strengthening Cultural Identity• Opening Up Economic Opportunities

Learning Languages

for Life

• Purposeful Learning, Driven by Curiosity• Freeing up Time for Better Teaching & Learning• Reducing Exam Stress

Joy of Learning

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• Different Pathways for Success• Recognising Individual Strengths• Reducing Labelling

One Sec Education,

Many Subject Bands

• Preparing Students to be Future-ready• 21 CC through CCE and contemporary issues• Digital Literacy, Knowing the Region

Refresh Curriculum

• Enabling Educators to Embrace Change• Professional Learning Roadmap• 6 prioritized learning areas

SkillsFuturefor Educators

Creative Thinkers Compassionate LeadersJoyful Learnerswho are motivated and

engaged in learning.who can innovate and

solve problems.who can empathise with and

support others.

To nurture in Meridians inquiring minds, caring hearts for their pursuit of excellence

Pursuit of Excellence refers to continuous efforts towards

attaining one’s best

Inquiring minds ask questions and seek answers constantly

Caring hearts empathise with and take actions to improve the

lives of others

Resilience

Integrity

Compassion

Humility

A person who perseveres in the face of challenges.

A person who is honest and has the moral courage to stand up for what is right.

A person who acts with care and kindness towards others.

A person who respects others and is willing to learn.

ST1: Develop engaged and effective learners

ST 2: Nurture leaders of sound character who contribute actively

ST 3: Develop a cohesive staff committed to continuous growth

ST4: Enhance collaborative partnership with key stakeholders

Change in Use of Mobile Phone Policy - Reasons

1. Challenges faced by teachers• Students using phones in class and distracted from learning• Arguing with teachers when told to put away the phone

2. Anti-social behaviours• Students not spending quality time with friends• Not interacting or playing together

3. Not eating properly during breaks• Time spent to play games instead of eating

4. Signs of addiction – Need for digital detox

Phone bans in schools around the world

Better Performance in French Schools

School Policy on Use of Mobile Phones and possession of other expensive items

• Students should not bring other electronic devices or expensive items to school.

• Students are not allowed to use mobile phones from 7.30 am till the end of curriculum time every day.

• All mobile phones should be switched off and locked away in the lockers designated to each classroom before the start of the first lesson.

• The CCTV surveillance system in the classroom blocks will ensure safety of the contents of the lockers.

• Please call the General Office at 65831387 if you need to convey urgent messages to your child.

Keeping students meaningfully occupied during recess and lunch breaks

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After having their meals, here are some suggestions for the students:

chatting with friends

playing sports at the various venues (basketball court, street soccer

court, school field)

reading / drawing/ writing in the library

playing board games in the library

playing traditional games in the art gallery/ CARE Hub/ Values Corner/

parade square

resting

Keeping students meaningfully occupied during recess & lunch breaks

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Playing sports at the various venues (basketball court, street soccer court, school field)• Students can loan out balls from CCA sports leaders• Sports leaders on duty first 5 mins to manage the ‘sign out’ and last 10

minutes to manage the ‘sign in’ and return of balls)• Students can bring their own sports equipment.

Playing board games in the library • Students can loan out board games from library• Sign in and out is managed by Mdm Razida• Students can bring their own board games

Playing traditional games in Art gallery/ CARE Hub/ Values Corner• Students can loan out the games from student leaders at the Art

Gallery/CARE Hub • Sign in and out is managed by student leaders (SLDC to roster)• Students can bring their own traditional games

Positive School and Classroom Culture

• Set High Expectations for attitude and behaviour• Emphasis on Positive Education• Build Strong Teacher-Student Rapport• Culture of Trust, Care and Support for Every Child• Firm and Nurturing Tone for Good Discipline• Restorative Practice to improve relationships

Appreciation Cards, Gratitude Project, Gratitude Wall, CMDG

Classroom Protocols, CCA

Orientation Camp, FT/ KP Interaction, Brunch, MLP, CCA

Growing Leaders, VIA, Reflection e-journals

Termly Academic Awards, Merit Cards, CCA

Positive Education

Greetings and Manners• Smile and Greet all Meridians (staff, students, visitors)• Carry out Acts of Kindness every day• Respect yourself, others, others’ time and space

– Everyone is unique and deserves respect– No bullying

• Be Punctual to all classes• Knock before you enter, always through the front door only

– If you’re late, wait for permission to enter

• Pay attention at all times in class– No sleeping or slouching– Do not distract others or be distracted by others

Theme for 2019/2020

Unite to Reach New Heights as Joyful Learners

Theme to be used throughout the year for all school events and programmes

What’s Your Mindset?

Fixed Mindset Growth MindsetIntelligence is static and tendency to …

Intelligence can be developed and tendency to …

Challenges … avoid challenges … embrace challengesObstacles … give up easily ... persist in the face of

setbacksEffort … see effort as fruitless

or worse… see effort as the path to mastery

Criticism … ignore useful negative feedback

… learn from criticism

Success of others

… feel threatened by the success of others

… find lessons and inspirationin the success of others

Result They plateau early and achieve less than their full potential

They reach ever-higher levels of achievement.

Sec 1 Expectations

Self Mastery and Care for Others

• Believing in self and acting responsibly

• Showing respect and practising kindness towards others

Every Meridian an Academic Achiever!

Meridian Achievers File• For every Sec 1 student• To collect certificates of

achievement over 4 or 5 years

Aims• To develop Growth Mindset• To affirm good character• To build confidence and encourage

efforts for improvement

Every Meridian an Academic Achiever!

• Academic Achievement Award o Every term for achieving individual targets

• Good Academic Progress Awardo Terms 2, 3 and 4 for showing best

improvement in the cohort

Awards for Good Character• Leaders of Self Award

o Every semester for Excellent Conduct Grade

• Meridian Caring Awardo Every year for the most caring

student in each class

We look forward to a g reat year of

working together in 2020!

Secondary 1 Programme

Mrs Rose ChenVice-Principal

Team bonding activities

Getting to know the

school and their

friends

School Experience – Sec 1 Orientation

To provide a platform to develop social-emotional competencies, strengthenteacher-student and peer relationships, and to prevent at-risk behaviour.

School Experience – Meridian Lighthouse Programme

A safe place for students to hang out after school.

School Experience – Cabin Room “Chillbox”

Academic Student Development

Applied Learning Programme (ALP) and Learning for Life Programme (LLP)

They complement academic and student development programmes, and help students acquire a broad and deep

foundation for life and lifelong learning.

School Curriculum

• A 10-day timetable cycle with “Odd” and “Even” weeks.

• Each period is 35 minutes, CCE/Assembly is 50 minutes on Fri.

• School dismissal time: 2.50 pm from Mon – Thu, 12.25pm on Fri.

• 35 min Recess (Mon – Fri), 35 min Lunch (Mon – Thu).

• CCAs start from 3.15 pm, mostly on Tue and Thu.

• Meridian Art Programme (MAP) takes place on Mon from 3pm to 5pm.

School Curriculum - Timetable

Sec 1 E / NA Sec 1 NT1. English Language2. Mathematics3. Science4. Mother Tongue Languages5. Design and Technology (D&T)6. Food and Consumer Education (FCE)7. Art8. History9. Geography10. Literature 11. Physical Education*12. Music*

1. English Language2. Mathematics3. Science4. Basic Mother Tongue Languages5. Design and Technology (D&T)6. Food and Consumer Education (FCE)7. Computer Applications (CPA)8. Social Studies*9. Art*10. Physical Education*11. Music*

*non-examinable

School Curriculum – Sec 1 Subjects

Distinctive Programme - Applied Learning Programme

Visual CommunicationsLevel-wide programmes that develop an understanding of how visual images, texts and contexts in poster art or other print communication graphics can be used creatively to communicate powerful messages to the intended audience in an authentic setting.

Sec 1 students will embark on their own comic illustration module.

Developing Leaders of Sound Character

In Meridian, we believe that leadership is about influence and that every student has the potential to lead.

Sec 1 students are exposed to the Growing Leaders Programme that focuses on Self-Leadership, Connecting with Others and Leading Others

Community and Youth Leadership

Distinctive Programme – Learning for Life Programme

Talent Development Programmes

Mathematics• Singapore Math Olympiad• AEM (Math & POA)• Training for SMO, UNSW

ICAS, National CashflowCompetition, Finex etc.

Humanities• NUS Geog Challenge• United Nations Model

Conference

Science• Science Research

Programme• AEM• Biology Olympiad (Upper

Sec)

English Language• Meridian Speakers’

Programme• AEM (Public Speaking)• Extensive Reading

Programme.

Mother Tongue Languages• Author in Residence

(Upper Sec - CL)• Rakan Bahasa Programme'

(Journalism - ML)

D&T/Art• Meridian Art programme

(MAP)• Enhanced Art Programme

(EAP)

School Assessment – Assessment Weighting

Sec 1 and 3 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4Component WA WA WA EOYWeighting 10% 15% 15% 60%

Sec 2 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4Component WA MYE WA EOYWeighting 10% 25% 15% 50%

Sec 4 and 5 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 and 4Component WA MYE PRELIMSWeighting 100% 100% 100%

Express A1 A2 B3 B4 C5 C6 D7 E8 F9

100 – 75 74 – 70 69 – 65 64 – 60 59 – 55 54 – 50 49 – 45 44 – 40 39 & below

Normal Academic

Normal Technical

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 U100 – 75 74 – 70 69 – 65 64 – 60 59 – 50 49 & below

A B C D U100 – 75 74 – 70 69 – 60 59 – 50 49 & below

School Assessment – Grading System

Sec 1E to Sec 2E

Pass in EL and at least 50% in the average of all examinablesubjects.(Laterally transferred to 2NA if student does not meetpromotion criteria)

Sec 1NA to Sec 2NA

Pass EL and 2 other subjects.ORPass 4 subjects.(Retention in 1NA if student does not meet promotion criteria)(Laterally transferred to 2NT if deemed suited)

Sec 1NT to Sec 2NT

Pass 2 subjects, one of which must be EL or Math.(Retention in 1NT if student does not meet promotion criteria)

School Assessment – Promotion Criteria

Sec 1NA to Sec 2E 70% or higher in the average of all subjectsand deemed able to cope with the ExpressCourse.

Sec 1NT to Sec 2NA 70% or higher in the average of all subjectsand deemed able to cope with the NormalAcademic Course.

School Assessment – Lateral Transfer

Student Conduct Grade

Behaves in an exemplary manner and upholds school image at all times.• Diligent and works purposefully to achieve goals• Submits assignments punctually• Does his/her best for the assignments/tasks• Honest and always able to do what is right• Shows care and support for peers• Humble and treats others with respect• Willing to consider others’ feelings and opinions• Helpful, courteous and dependable• Regular attendance and punctual to school

Home-School Partnership – Parental Support

• Communicate with your child daily.• Communicate with your child’s FTs and Subject teachers to find

out more about his/her progress in school.• Monitor your child’s learning, homework completion and usage

of digital devices.• Guide your child to develop a routine that allows him/her to have

ample revision time and rest.• Encourage your child to take ownership of his or her learning.• Ensuring that your child takes part in all school activities such as

co-curricular activities and school events.

Performance = Potential - Interference

Look out for common distractions:

• Boy-Girl Relationships • Excessive outings with

friends• Addiction to internet

and mobile phones

Home-School Partnership – Parental Support

Home-School Partnership – Communication

• School Termly Letter • Mass SMS • School Website / Facebook / Instagram• Principal Meet Parents (Term 1)• Parent-Teacher Conference (May/Oct)• Email to School Leaders / Year Heads / Key Personnel /

Form Teachers / Subject Teachers• Call the school number 6583 1387• Parent Support Group Meetings

Home-School Partnership – Communication

Instagram School Website Facebook

If you or your child have any concerns, we would like to collaborate and work together in

the holistic development of your child.

Your support and partnership with us is invaluable as we work towards achieving the

desired student outcomes for your child.

Home-School Partnership

We look forward to a great year of partnership with you in 2020.

Thank You!